Hub City Film Festival: Bringing Filmmakers Together in Jackson + West TN

Written by Maddie McMurry

Photographed by Hannah Gore

Shelby Tyre never imagined the Hub City Film Festival would have the impact it does this year. When the festival launched, she wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested, much less want to come back for a second year. But here they are, in year two, with 50 films on the roster—an incredible leap from the 30 films they showcased the first time around at last year’s festival.

With a core team of three other passionate individuals, Shelby has built an event that highlights the hard work and dedication of filmmakers in West Tennessee. 

“The whole point is to acknowledge the work people are putting in because filmmaking is really hard and I think the thing we all want is, yes other people to see it, but then to be recognized,” Shelby said. 

The festival’s growing success speaks to the need this festival fulfills to the film community in Jackson. This not only serves the creatives who make these films, but it also helps the community understand the process behind filmmaking and the time that goes into this craft. This year’s 50 films represent over four hours of viewing and judging, and Shelby is beyond grateful for the community’s enthusiasm. The increase in submissions reflects a thriving local filmmaking scene that craves the connection and recognition the festival provides.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Hub City Film Festival is how it brings people together—both filmmakers and audiences alike. Shelby noted that filmmakers who attended last year’s event have since collaborated on projects and are now returning to submit their films. 

“I wasn’t expecting there to be as many filmmakers as there are, so I think this meets the need of bringing those people together,” Shelby explained. “That was one thing I noticed last year, people knew there were filmmakers here, but no one was connected.”

Now, the festival is not only a platform to showcase films but also a space for forging creative partnerships.

In addition to screenings, the festival offers the community a chance to learn about the intricacies of filmmaking through workshops led by industry experts. And for those attending the screenings, there’s an exciting opportunity to participate in the festival’s audience award, where viewers can vote for their favorite film.

 

As the festival wraps up with a red carpet event and awards ceremony at The Ned on Saturday, September 28th, attendees will gather to celebrate the talent and hard work of this year’s filmmakers. For Shelby, this is the heart of the festival: acknowledging the incredible effort that goes into making films and giving filmmakers the recognition they deserve.

Reflecting on the growth of the festival, Shelby shares her excitement. “Honestly last year I thought people were just showing up because it was the first. But then to get 50 films the second year when you got 30 the first year–I’m just excited for people to come and show up and enjoy these films,” Shelby said. 

With venues like theCO and Catbird Studio hosting screenings, and a grand finale at The Ned, this year’s Hub City Film Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the art of filmmaking and the power of community here in Jackon, Tennessee. 

Check out the full schedule below and purchase your tickets at Hub City Film Festival’s website

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26

LOCATION: theCO (12PM – 5PM)

• 12:00PM: R. Alan Ingalls (Music Videos)

• 1:00 PM: Daniel Hooper Spotlight (Short Films)

• 2:00 PM: Daniel Hooper Spotlight Finishes; House of Glass (Music Video)

• 2:30PM: Non Trad Student, Death Reign Trailer, Curse of Frontier: Poc, Buffy and the

Balloon, The World’s Largest Raccoon Hunt (Shorts and Short Docs)

• 3:00 PM: To the Moon, The Fantastic Farinos (Short Films)

• 3:30 PM: The Ghostlight (Short Film)

• 4:00 PM: Soul of the City (Short Doc)

LOCATION: Catbird Studio (12PM – 8PM)

• 12:00PM: SEMINAR: EBONY CAWTHORNE

• 1:00 PM: SEMINAR: JENNIFER HAIRE

• 2:00 PM: Ochin Pakhi (Feature Length Doc)

• 3:15 PM: Voiceless (Short Doc)

• 3:30 PM: Curse of the Frontier: (Proof of Concept), Sam Jones Q&A

• 4:00 PM: Charles, Weight, Summer’s End (Short Films)

• 4:30 PM: Summer’s End, Doorways (Short Films)

• 5:00 PM: Daniel Hooper Spotlight (Short Films)

• 6:00 PM: As Easy As Closing Your Eyes, Matinee Memories (Short Films)

• 6:30 PM: The Four Daniels & Q&A

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27

LOCATION: theCO (12PM – 5PM)


• 12:00PM: The Dental Plan (Feature)

• 1:30 PM: Bay for Blood, The River Dweller, Frog-Man V w/ Q& A After (Short Films)

• 2:00 PM:More than a Diagnosis, Weight, Charles (Short Films)

• 2:30 PM: The School Mistress (Short FIlm)

• 3:00 PM: The Prophecy of John Hendrix (Doc) w/ a Seminar with Filmmakers after

LOCATION: Catbird Studio (12PM – 8PM)

• 2:00 PM: Tea & Espionage, Death Reign Trailer, The Mare’s Game (Short Films)

• 2:30PM: Buffy & The Balloon, Frog-Man V (Short Films)

• 3:00 PM: Frog-Man V – Q&A

• 3:30 PM: Kris & Holly, To The Moon (Short FIlms)

• 4:00 PM: HCP Q&A

• 4:30 PM: Matinee Memories, The Ghostlight (HCP Produced Short Films)

• 5:00 PM: Soul of the City w/ Q&A

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28

LOCATION: Catbird Studio (10AM – 2PM)

• 10:00 AM: Charles, The World’s Largest Raccoon Hunt, Now Hiring (Shorts & Docs)

• 10:30 AM: Roses Unread: Lying to Yourself, A Band of Jones: The Man I Need to Be, The Red Mountain: Sith, Breanna: Let’s Go, Stokes: Run it Up, Hutcheson Bros: Sip Happens, House of Glass (Music Videos)

• 11:00 AM: Santa’s Clause, Kris & Holly, The River Dweller (Short Films)

• 11:30 AM: The School Mistress, Bay for Blood (Short Films)

• 12:00 PM: Weight, Voiceless (Short Films)

• 12:30 PM: Soul of the City, Buffy & the Balloon (Short Doc & Short Film)

• 1:00 PM: The Four Daniels, Summer’s End (Short Films)

• 1:30 PM: As Easy As Closing Your Eyes (Short Film)

LOCATION: The Ned (4:30PM)

• Hub City Film Festival Red Carpet & Awards Ceremony

Maddie McMurry